Still Beautiful after two weeks

Well, it has been two weeks since Mother's Day and my flowers are still beautiful.

They have now all opened up, smell great and are a great pick me up in the morning.

Thanks Again, Megan and Eric for the beautiful bouquet.

Celebrating AA

Last week we had plans to take AA and our family to Knoebels Park, but the weather had other ideas. It poured down rain all day. So we adapted plans, ordered pizza and had a mini birthday celebration in Monster Truck Style.

Here are a few of the photos from that day!

In Memory of Maria Sue Chapman, Please Pray for this Family of Christ

In memory of Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)
Last night Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter of Steven Curtis & Mary Beth Chapman, was killed in a tragic accident in the family driveway. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, but for only reasons God can explain, she went home to Him... not back to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.
We are all humbled by the incredible outpouring of love and support at this difficult time. The friends of the Chapmans and Shaohannah's Hope have overwhelmed the website servers and jammed phone lines with gracious words and heartfelt prayers. The Chapman family is so grateful.
Obviously, we cherish your prayers for all in the Chapman family, please continue to pray for:
- God's comfort and healing for the whole family, that He would be near to them and they would find refuge in the shadow of His wings- The church to lift them up in prayer, word, and deed, helping them to bear the burden of this tragic loss- God to work in glorious ways to quickly pour out His redemption, grace, and peace to all affected by this heartbreaking situation
* We welcome you passing this along to others to pray, encouraging them to sign up for weekly orphan prayer updates.* Any updates or information we get, we will post here >* If you’d like to meet Maria and express your condolences click here >

* In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope. Donate here at showhope.org/maria >
Thank you again for your prayers and support.

"Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work." - Oswald Chambers

I went on a Date

Last night, my son Adam and I had Date Night. He got to pick where we ate, which was Burger King, then just he and I went to the Art Auction at school. After the art auction we headed to the mall and got a pair of new sneakers then off to a movie. Here where I just fall in love with my son all over again. We went to see Narnia: Prince Caspian.

First about the movie, another great production from Disney! They hit the nail on the head as they bring alive the Chronicles of Narnia. More action packed than the first, symbolism at its finest draws you in and keeps you captivated throughout the show.

I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't gotten a chance to see it, but I find it amazing that such a writer like C.L.Lewis who was so controversial in his time, has now become influencial.

He writes in this Chronicle:

" But God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love. Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it—made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand. "

My boy, loved this movie. He was drawn to the story line and comprehended Lewis's symbolism even at age 7. He was waiting the entire time for Aslan to arrive and he keep saying, Trust in him, and he will appear" So with a tear filled eye, we spent a mother and son night. One that I will remember forever.

My Mother: Happy Mother's Day

So, today is Mother's Day and it is the Day that we honor our mothers. I have to say that I have the best mother in the world! So to keep the trend, here are the top 10 reasons I love my mom!

10. I love you because I can finish your sentences, which means I am alot like you, and I like you!

9. I love you because you took the time to be my Taxi throughout my childhood, always looking out for my best interest.

8. I love you because you made 32 Indian Costumes because "I needed to be in Girl Scouts" and you had to be the Leader.

7. I love the way you have a list for everything, and everything always gets done......maybe I need a list.

6. I love the way you were there when we were doing in-vitro, that we played cards and tried to make me laugh, when on the inside I was falling apart.

5. I love the way you look at my children, that they are True gifts from God, and you love them unconditionally.

4. I love that when I called you to tell you that Faith's picture has arrived and I was crying and saying "She's beautiful", you said "I knew she would be. Some how you know what I need to hear at each moment.

3. I love you because you support Bill and I through each trial and do so with steady love.

2. I love you because you taught me to be an outstanding mother, a steady constant encourager for all of the children and to love until it hurts, because mother's love through it all.

1. And the top reason I love my mother, is because she is my FRIEND! She is steadfast, faithful, and loving. Every day I am blessed with having her for my mother.

So Mom, Happy Mother's Day! I love you and thank you for being an example of what a Mother should be.

Proverbs 31: 28-29
"Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."

The Second Time that Fed Ex Man Delivers Dreams

So on Friday the Fed Ex man drives up our driveway. While I thought it was a package I was expecting, I was glad to see that it was not. The first time the Fed Ex man brought us a picture of our daughter from China, I vowed he would be a part of our family forever. This time he brought me flowers. Flowers from my son and daughter-in-law in Florida. Not only are they gorgeous and smell really good, the card made my day.

It said: Just a little something to let you know how special you are to us. For all the times you were there and all of the things you have done,words can't explain what you mean to us. I hope that I am half the mom that you didn't have to be. We love you!

This is the best mother's day gift I could have receive. I cried for at least 40 minutes in joy! You can see my earlier postings on being a step-mother, but I love these children. They have touched and enlightened my life so much, that I am a better person.

Then the next package arrives from TT and BB and there are Rhubrha Lillies. My absolute favorite, my wedding flower and they remembered! Nine years ago they were my flower girl and ring bearer and they remember.

AA and the baby got me flowers too, a relaxing day in New York City and to see a Broadway play with my friends.

Right now I feel like I am the most blessed in the world!! Thanks Kids for making this Mother's Day the BEST!

Happy Birthday AA!

So today is AA's 7th Birthday and I can't believe how quickly the years have flown. So to keep the tradition with Birthday's here are the top ten I love AA!!

10. His love of dinosaurs. He has them all, knows them all better than anyone I know, never gets bored with them and is facinated everytime we read the books.

9. The way that he is a great little brother. He prays for his older brothers and sister daily, loves on them and it is great the way they molded together.

8. He's a great big Brother. He has welcomed his little sister with open arms, cares for her, is kind to her and never batted an eye in "losing his spot" as baby.

7. His love for God. For 7 it is amazing at his Faith.

6. The way he sings in the back of my car when I am driving. He loves music, just like his mom.

5. The way he tells me that on weekends, he is to stay with my folks, because I have him all week and sharing is important.

4. The quiet way he looks up, winks at me when he is playing in a group, gives me a thumbs up and let's me know he's okay.

3. His love for Words. He has an extrodinary vocabulary.

2. He wants to be a zookeeper when he grows up so that he can take care of the animals. He also says that he wants to protect the people from the animals, and so he can be rich. Anything more than a dollar allowance is "being rich" when you are 7.

1. He is my son. My Miracle Baby. The one that I waited a "lifetime" for. He loves me all the way around the world and all the back.

So, AA. Happy 7th Birthday. I love you so much! You make me proud everyday to be your mom. I love you more than you love me!